Page 43 of Employing Patience

“Aww, you know just what to say to make a man swoon.”

“Keep going and you’ll find out just how serious I am.”

I flick his ear, startling the intensity out of his face. “You’re the best. Really. My girlfriend is going to be so grateful.”

“That I’m saving her from spending the day with you? I know.”

“So, Friday?”

“Wednesday.”

I smirk and wave a finger between us. “It’s cute. How we always do this.”

“At least one of us thinks so.”

“You’ll admit you find me adorable one day.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “The day you actually show up for all of your scheduled shifts.”

“You are just, like, so funny.” I’m not even trying to flirt properly now.

“You’re supposed to be using the day shifts to catch up on sleep.”

I blink at his words, processing them. Turning them over because it kind of sounds like … he really did swap them for me. “You do care.”

“That you’re not injuring my other employees? Of course.”

“You moved my shifts around for me.” Knowing that makes me feel like an asshole for needing to swap one now, but I can’t help that my stupid teacher wanted me to check in for a stupid meeting.

Art grunts, and I know that no matter how hard I push, he’ll never admit it. “How does your girlfriend feel about you flirting your way into other shifts?”

“If it’s for her benefit, she’s firmly pro-flirt.”

“And what about you giving out your number to other men?”

I hold his gaze, letting my smile out slowly. “Why, Art. Were you eavesdropping?”

“You were practically shouting.”

“That’s dramatic.”

“He was all but humping your leg.”

I want to laugh. Really, really want to let it out at the thought of Will humping my leg. This jealous side of Art is so hot though, so somehow, I control myself. “If you’d rather I gave you my number instead, all you have to do is ask, snugglebutt.”

“Call me snugglebutt again. I dare you.”

“What are you gonna do, fire me?”

“You have no idea how I long for the day.”

“Just edging yourself? I can help with that.”

“You already do more than enough.”

“That’s right.” I pretend to remember what he said, even though it’s been on a constant loop in my brain. “You want me.”

“And your body wants everything from me.”

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